Jump on Shadows
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Description
On a sunny day, try to jump on your own shadow or step on each other's. Shadows move as you move, making it genuinely hard. Works in any open outdoor space with sunshine.
Play guide
- 1Go outside on a sunny day. You need direct sunlight casting clear shadows.
- 2Start by asking your child to jump on their own shadow - they'll notice it moves with them, which is the discovery.
- 3Switch to chasing each other's shadows - you move your feet to step on their shadow; they try to move fast enough to keep it out from under your foot.
- 4Take turns being the shadow-chaser and the shadow-protector.
- 5Explore - what happens to your shadow when you jump? When you spread your arms wide? When you stand back-to-back?
Success signals
Your child understands that the shadow moves with them and starts actively moving to protect their shadow or to chase yours. They discover shadow behavior (getting longer in the afternoon, disappearing overhead at noon) and comment on it.
If it's tricky
Shadows are faint or hard to see (overcast light, or harsh overhead sun near midday): Move to a time of day with lower sun angle for longer, clearer shadows - morning or late afternoon is best. Child is very young and doesn't grasp that the shadow moves with them: Crouch down and point to the shadow first - "That's your shadow - it follows you everywhere."